Mustard gas was the most notable weapon employed by the Germans. From what I've read, it had quite a horrific effect on those unfortunate enough to inhale it. When inhaled it immediately caused the lungs to liquefy. Death came quickly but painfully, so I gather. Chemical warfare was first introduced in WW1.
Soldiers wore masks to protect them from a horrible new weapon called poison gas. It caused blinding and death by choking. One type of gas is mustard gas. That would kill you if you breathed it in. You would eventually choke up your liver and die instantly. Mustard Gas Page The machine gun was another new weapon for World War 1. The submarine was an effective warship, known as a U-boat. It was a self-propelled underwater missile.
Rifles, artillery, machine guns, aircraft ships, submarines, poison gas, tanks, armored cars, grenades and mortars were all used during World War 1.
The Americans used the shotgun during the war, which they used to great effect at clearing the enemy trenches of German soldiers. This provoked a horrified reaction from the German government, as wounds from shotgun hits were difficult to treat. As I'm sure you know, the shots spread out and hit the victim in many different places, which would lead to a long and painful death. The Germans called on the use of shotguns in warfare to be banned.
Both sides of the trenches decided on not using mustard gas because masses of soldiers were getting wiped out, and if they threw it and the wind blew the other way, they would affect their own men.
Army: Mustard Gas, Artillery, Rifles, Mines and other sorts of guns. Navy: Battleships, Dreadnoughts, Mines, Destroyers, Cruisers, Minesweepers, U-boats or submarines (Called depending on which side you're on). Air Force: Triplanes and Biplanes. (The Germans also used Zeppelins)
Defensive technology was better than offensive which is why the stalemate situation started and the war was no longer an active war and was now a tactic war. Machine Guns - They fired about 60 bullets per minute. I don't know exactly, but it would wipe out any soldiers or cavalry that attempted to cross no man's land. Trenches - Both sides built trenches which barely moved during the war. Over the war, trenches were adapted and became very good. The German's trenches were especially good and provided them with a great defense against shells. (the battle of the Somme- Haig used millions of shells but the Germans survived through staying in their trenches. Barbed wire - The wire was extremely thick and took a long time to cut through. It was said that sunlight could not be seen through it. Gas - It was a very painful death although it was only useful in surprise attacks as it was easily solved with gas masks. Also it was possible that the wind could change direction and kill you instead. Tanks - These were first used by the British although were fairly unreliable as many broke down and others got stuck in shell holes. Shells - These were used in large quantities although again were fairly unreliable. It did take a long time to hit the target and many didn't go off. Also it did make no mans land very muddy and very hard to cross.
WW2 Weapons
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